incidence of fungal infection in chronic non-ulcerative blepharitis

ABSTRACT

Bacterial and fungal cultures of the eye lids of 30 patients having chronic non ulcerative blepharitis and 16 controls were performed. Estimation of tear IgA, IgE and differential leucocytic count were carried out for confirmation of the associated processes. Fungal isolates in the studied group represented 34 percent in relation to the bacterial infection 66 percent. The incidence of fungal infection was higher in the older age groups and in long duration chronicity. The two commonly isolated fungi were Candida albicans and Aspergillus. The samples of the control group were free from pathogenic microorganisms except the normal commensal flora. The levels of tear IgA and IgE were elevated in the patients as compared with controls. Blood eosinophils and polymorphs were within normal levels